Baits by themselves will not usually control southern
fire ants. Also employ exclusionary tactics. |
Managing southern fire ants
with baits
- Use granular products containing hydramethylnon and fipronil.
- Baits are most effective if applied in the evening since
southern fire ants are nocturnal.
- Baits must be placed outdoors; avoid indoor baiting as
that may attract more ants into the home.
- It is best to broadcast baits over the entire infested
area. However, individual mounds can be treated as well.
- Be sure to place baits in protected areas inaccessible
to children and pets.
- Follow up regularly to make sure bait is working and
place fresh bait as necessary when conditions are dry.
- Avoid baiting when rain is expected.
How baits work
- Worker ants will be attracted to the bait and take it
back to the nest where the entire colony, including queens,
may be killed.
- Bait must be slow-acting so workers won't be killed before
they get back to the nest.
- Results may not be evident for several weeks.
- Killing workers does little to control the colony, because
as few as 1% of a colony's foraging worker ants are able
to provide sufficient food to support nestbound queens
and larvae.
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